Lost at sea: Vietnamese family reunites with the men who rescued them
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- Опубліковано 9 бер 2018
- After the fall of Saigon in 1975, more than a million desperate people fled Vietnam. Many escaped in small boats, including Vietnamese immigrant Lauren Vuong. Now a successful attorney, she's accomplished a lot in the four decades since then but one goal remained elusive: finding and thanking the men who rescued her at sea. Don Dahler reports.
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I helped rescue Vietnamese and Cambodian boat people spring of 1975. We took them back to Grande Island, Philippines. There they were given medical attention, food and necessities. Once recuperate they were transported to many countries, many to America. This was one of my proudest moments while serving in the Navy. I am 73, grew up in an orphanage in Kentucky and was so very poor as a child. I love this country as do those I helped to get here.
Gary, thank you for your service. I am in awe of you. God bless.
Gary my parents were refugees! America is the land were dreams can come true! It is a land blessed by G-d.
Thank you for your service. God bless you sir
God Bless You, and thank you for your service Sir!
Thank you for your service to our country and for your compassion to do the right thing. God Bless You.
Thank you all America people that was accepted us Vietnamese to USA
We love you...and Pho...
we love you all
I had Vietnamese neighbors for years. They were the best neighbors. I watched their children grow up to be productive citizens. They've moved to another state. I, and my neighbors, will miss them. We wish them well.
I do not disagree with To Leyik.
Ludwig Von Yharnam f/k/a hallo galaxis: There is no politics in this conversation. Now, go back to your Safe Space and leave us in peace.
Huy Nguyen ...Thank you for appreciating this country! I am an Air Force vet and was in Vietnam in 1968. You are greatly welcome in the USA!
I was on the USS Parsons (DDG-33) when we rescued Vietnamese boat people in 1979 and again in 1980. To see the squalor, hunger and thirst on the boats was heart wrenching. This story brought tears to my eyes and reminded me that I'd been part of something good. Thank you.
Thank you so much sir!
God bless you, William.
You did good Bill. Keep on doing the things that are important to us..and that is to help those in need. Thank you
Good morning America ... Sir. I salute and appreciated the job well done in South China Sea rescued the Vietnamese refuged the animal communist Vietnam regime .. I wish this new year 2019 will bring you much joy. , peace ten thousand of happiness To you , your families and to all American ... Again thank you for your service. ...
You are an angel sent by God to rescue us. Thank you so much brother. (From a boat people.)
SHE SAID IT. I love her metaphor of the hyphen as a bridge- not a divider
RJ Fernandez Me too.❤
That was awesome
good observation, rj
As soon as someone who has followed the rules takes the oath of citizenship, and becomes a citizen of the United States, as far as I am concerned they are a fellow American citizen, who I would embrace. I don't care where they might have come from. Any hyphenated addition is just expressing heritage.
For most it IS a divider sadly. It's become a way for Democrats to perpetuate the "victim" mentality.
I too am a boat person from 1977! I used to be embarrassed about it but now I'm proud to be one of millions of boat people from Vietnam!
Quang B ..God bless you..and love to you
Be proud
Nothing to be embarrassed about, we all do anything to survive...and only the strong survive and you are one of them. God Bless.
Quang B And we are glad to have you here!
Quang B yes be proud and never let your family forget how you got to this great country. Everyone in this country got here somehow unless they are Native American. The problem is people forget. I raised my kids to know how our family got here and to remember to be welcoming of others that have joined our great country. I’m glad you’ve joined us.
I am not ashamed to admit I cried listening to her poignant and eloquent description of how grateful she is.
Minhvu Ly ....I did also, and I am not ashamed to cry, even though I am almost 72 years old and a male...
@@renecordova6349 i hope you are doing well sir
It's ok brother! I did too 😉
Same here. When people help and uplift one another we truly shine as a species.
@@renecordova6349 Ah, Grasshopper, I had tears rolling down my 81 year old cheeks too. We are both partners in crying happy, and it feels so good.
I was on a Navy destroyer in 1983 off the coast of Vietnam. We rescued 68 people and I can remember what a great feeling it was.
Thank you 🙏 🙏🙏🙏💗💞❤️🌈
Thank you, God bless the USA, and you ...
I am an old man but I still cried every time I watched. I also escaped in a small fishing boat. We were lost at sea for 8 days. During this time I had a tiny cup of muddy water a day and this was all I had. I did not go to the restroom once. I think my body was in the early stage of shutting down. Had we not seen the US and Indonesia oil refinery I would only last for a couple of days. Oh well, FREEDOM is NOT FREE. I am an engineer and this is my story I like to share.
Welcome brother cho .
I’m glad you made it through that time
That was great. Thanks to them and thanks for sharing. Share with as many as possible, many people need to hear such stories of hope fulfilled
God bless you friend
We are so glad you made it Sir. Our country is a better place with our Vietnamese Citizens. God bless you! Michael Weeks, San Antonio Texas.
There are no words to express my gratitude to American people. America opened her arms to accept and welcome me from the refugee camp.
When I came here, I knew only few words in English. I got a job as a janitor after few days setting my feet on this beautiful land. I worked two, three jobs a week. After two years, I decided to go school full time and worked part time. I am now retired at young age and travel the world and also volunteer to do some community works.
From bottom of my heart I am very grateful to America. If I cannot do anything better for this country, I will ever never do any harm to this beautiful land.
Sir with America in a social crisis, with people convinced that society is hopelessly racist I am very happy that people like you are saying the truth about America. My parents immigrated from WW2 Europe and never looked back. Its all about hope, respect and liberty. America is us...God bless you !
🙏🏼❤️
Love this too
Thank you for reminding us of the greatness of America.
God bless America
I'm a refugee too. When marines were killed by the bomb in Beirut, I told myself that it was time to pay back to AMERICA. They brought us and gave us a new life. I joined the US Marine Corps. I gave up my good paying job.
Thank you brother. Semper fi.
I was in marines the day Saigon
Fell . The Entire corps cried that day. You know, in our tough guys
Way . Nothing but respect. You guys are just awesome, culture, people, and inner strength.
God bless you, semper fi bro.
I'm a former US Marine, OIF 9-1. I was wondering, a you a Maronite ?
Thank you for your sacrifice and service to the country you love just like I do!
Sir, thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service to our great and noble nation
"Every time I have something good to eat, I think of them."
Broke down right here, when I heard this. All those years and she never failed to appreciate.
❤❤💗💗
I served aboard the USS Robison (DDG-12), and we rescued two groups of Vietnamese refugees in December of 1980 (one of them known today as "Boat 262"). I was 20 years old at the time. Certain haunting images, especially the burials at sea and the starving children, are part of who I am. My only regret was not being able to do more for them. Those days I walked among heroes...Vietnamese and American.
Jose Jose Thank you sir ,for helping my people. God bless
@@kan9431 No need to thank my Ms. Khong - I wish I would have done more. Pay it forward, please... : )
Cam on Chu
@@lalilulelo7683 You are welcome... : )
Thank you Pepe
I’m a 70 year old retired construction worker, crying my eyes out.
Craig Keller -29, doing the same...
-30.....me to mate, I just couldn't help it.
@Craig
if 10 days has been so traumatic, imagine the Palestinians or Syrians who have lived under attacks by the Israeli forces....Israel has been killing innocent young boys for decades and stripping their families from the basic human rights, yet nobody talks....except perhaps George Callaway who's that vociferous
Construction work made your body hard, but not your heart, sir.
thank you for your service in building your country literally
As a Vietnam veteran , how I wish we could have saved all the people of south Vietnam, such wonderful people.
Thank you for your service and for your kind words...
As a Vietnam veteran 67, welcome to our great country. Like all countries it's not perfect but it's people like you that make it even better. Welcome.....Blessings to you and your family.
right on tony
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU, SIR 💗
Thank you, God bless you too sir 😊
Thank you for your service
VN vet, 67 - 68. Stories like this one are important. Reminders that the successes were outnumbered by the loses. Vietnamese friends I knew were in the military. I have no doubt that they didn't survive the war. It was a time, terrible for people in SE Asia; Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos..... To put things in perspective to people now a days. Years after the war, I played volleyball. Where I met one of my friends who was from Cambodia. He somehow escaped. But he lost his family, everyone in his village, and probably everyone he had ever seen in his life. There was no consoling him or even any use in trying to share what he must have felt. Unimaginable.
These men are true angels and Christians. The Vietnamese family is beautiful!!!
yes! Jesus has many blessings waiting for them !!
When I was 13 I loved in a small, very white, very Catholic town in the Midwest. Our church supported some Vietnamese refugees and brought them to live in our town. It was the first time I saw Asians. I was in awe. I loved their beautiful church outfits, glowing long black hair, beautiful faces and skin-just everything about them. We used to go to their home and play with our new classmates. I remember how different the food smelled and trying to learn Vietnamese words. It was so much fun and made a whole lot of difference in my life and made me want to travel the globe-which I did!
When I was in the Army, a white guy from Nebraska never saw an Asian in his life.
@@lotto5742 That's what happened with my dad. He didn't talk much about his time in the US Army for WW 2. He was drafted after he immigrated here from China. He told me one guy looked at him with astonishment at seeing an actual Asian at boot camp. The guy had heard about Asians but had never seen one. Very likely as back in those days Asians were truly a minority of the population.
Omg! I have the same experience but the opposite. I am Vietnamese. In 1975, my family was sponsored by the Catholic church from midwest in a little town called Savannah. I was about 12 at the time. I remember i used to hang around with some of my American classmates. It was fascinating for me to see how difference in appearance we are. I think their fair skin and big eyes are so beautiful. Eventually one of my classmates become my best friend. After school and on the weekend, she would come over my house and we would played together. I learned English from her and she would learned Vietnamese from me. Also, i would introduce her to Vietnamese cuisine. We keep in touch for a while after my family move to another state. She came to see me once in west coast, and I would fly back for her wedding as one of her bridesmaids . However, over the years, we lost contact. I would love to find her again. That was one of the most unforgetable experience of my childhood.
@@kimmykieu1 I've seen stories like this where people end up reconnecting or finding each other through the help of Facebook. Try using social media to find your friend. Be as detailed as possible, I would love to see the results.
❤️🥰❤️
“That hyphen is a bridge”. Beautiful.
Hey from New Orleans. We have a long established Vietnamese community here. People came from Saigon, and the Mekong to settle in Louisiana, the deltas being so much alike geographically. The weather, the maritime/fishing industry..now the children born in New Orleans to Vietnamese immigrants... are lawyers, Doctors, and very much a part of life here. I adore Banh Trang, and Vietnamese dishes. And so appreciate this wonderful addition to the flavor of our state!
Lily's is the best!
Great to know.
In CALI, SAN FRANSISCO, CHICAGO, NYC, PORTLAND, white and blak bloody racist & violent hateful to Vietnamese American & ASIAN AMERICAN.
Vietnamese - SOUTHEAST ASIAN is beautiful, smart & hardworking, friendly ppl.
VIETNAMESE AMERICAN IS ONE OF MOST BLENDING WELL WITG LOCALS & OTHERS CULTURES
Vietnamese American is LESS TROUBLEMAKER IF COMPARE TO OTHERS IMMIGRANT GROUPS. but theyre still facing the mosr bloody racist & violent hateful attack in US.
Btw, FIRST CHINESE CHEAP LABOR IMMIGRABT WORKERS IS GREAT COMMUNITY AS WELL. theyre bought there alnost 200y in Hawaii, Cali, Louiana as well.
2014 i was know Chinese American guy, he was 7 generation CHINESE AMERICAN, his great-great grandparent was bought there as Slaves in 1815s in Maryland.
Vietnamese, Chinese and Pinoys is great immigrants who continue build this country, consider this is their country since theyre born and raise rest life there.
Before boat ppl, Vietnamese labor workers was bough to America just like Chinesw & Pinoys in early 1800s to 1900s. Alots of their next-next generation is born and raise in Us, theyre become part of this country.
She said it so well... I am Vietnamese cause it's my heritage but I am an American cause it's my country... may God bless her and the men who saved them...
Vetnamese people are the most hardworking and law abiding citizens.
I like them.
I know I work with them.
I’m an American viet. My family grew up in Vietnam and had to escape due to the war. My grand parents and parents both came to the us via small shipping vessels as well. Both of my grandfathers fought along side US troops against the vietcong during the war, and my grampa on my moms side was captured and was a POW for 5 years before he escaped. Till this day he talks about how cruel the Vietcong was. I ended up enlisting for 6 years in the US Army to give back to this great country of ours. My cousin is currently doing a tour overseas with the 10th mountain division. I’ll always be forever grateful for this wonderful country that I can call my own. God bless.
I was born in an Indonesian Red Cross refugee camp in the 80's. At the age of 34, I joined the US Army to repay back my debt and show my gratitude to America and American's for their efforts during and after the war. Thank God for the foundations of America.
Respect, my father did the same - thank you for your service as well.
im indonesia did you born in pulau galang
You must borned in pulang Galang near Bintan Island., Indonesia. Your parents may knew one Chinese contractor work for UNHCR who always drove a truck to pick up Vietnam refugees arrived at the harbour. His name is Aliong.
How can you not love these people? Both the rescued and rescuers represent the best of what it means to be an American.
“My heritage is Vietnamese and America is my home”.... Thank you my sister for representing us boat people .🙏🏼
My native country philippines helped Vietnamese Brothers and sisters stay in Palawan while they process their papers to go to America. We love our fellow asian Vietnamese
Brothers.
My friend, very true. My older siblings and aunts stayed at refugee camps in the Philippines. Your people were very hospitable. I couldn’t say the same thing about other Asian countries. The Filipinos have a special place in our hearts.
Thank you Philippines. You were very good and kind to us.
we indeed thank you and your country a lot!
One of my ex-bosses was a Vietnam vet. He was actually part of a special ops group. He had the most harrowing stories about Vietnam. He was very traumatized. Yet he was absolutely dedicated to helping the Vietnamese community and immigrants in general. A very kind hearted man. To this day I still talk to him even though he is retired. I’m happy that we crossed paths.
I am a U S Marine and Vietnam veteran, 1967. So happy over this story. To the rescue captain: cảm ơn bạn, bạn tôi
I spent 4 years in the U.S. Navy from 1978 -82. We picked up 3 different loads of Vietnamese in the South China Seas. We dropped one load off in the Philippines, one in Malaysia, and one in Thailand. I always wondered what happened to those people. I always prayed for their success.
I was on the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) when we rescued 463 vietnamese refugees. A heartbreaking sight to see, of the condition of these men, women and children. A pregnant woman gave birth to a baby girl while on board the Tarawa, delivered by navy corpsmen.....out of gratitude the mother named that child Grace Tarawa....some 35 years later I was listening to AFN radio while living in Okinawa Japan and listened in to her (Grace) speaking, telling her story of the rescue and visiting her home,,,,the Tarawa when it pulled into Sasebo Japan ,, at that time its home port. She called it home. We sheltered, clothed, fed and protected them from further danger. It was a feeling unexplainable to have been a part of that humanitarian effort. I would have loved to have met Grace Tarawa. I hope they have all found peace in this world.
google search of her name shows she later re-visited the ship, and works in Philidelphia.
I was a Vietnamese boy who was brought to the US in 1975 by a retired USAF colonel and sponsored by a former US veteran to resettle in the US with the help of the church. I want to thank all the American people with big hearts and I salute the US soldiers once served in Vietnam. I don't think we would ever be given the opportunity to live free and to prosper if we ever immigrated to other countries. The US still needs more work but it's my country now so we have to make it better for all.
Thank you Viet Nguyen.
Thank you for making the USA a better place!
We will always need more work. That is our secret, to keep improving and perfecting our heritage to the best of our ability!
Vietnamese people are very family oriented , hard working and job conscientious. They had made a very positive contribution to this country.
I was also a boat person. Although I was not as lucky as Lauren. But I still feel grateful to my second country. The United States of America and I am proud to be American - Vietnamese!!!
Hai Thai ...You are greatly appreciated and welcomed to being my fellow countryman.... I served in US military in Vietnam in 1968...
I am also a Vietnam Veteran 67/68. Seeing how some people in our world have to live, made me greatly appreciate my home in America. I'm glad some of these people were able to make a better life by coming to our Country.
People like you give me hope for this country. God bless
My last cruise in the navy, aboard the Enterprise, we were able to rescue a family in 1978. They had seen one of our aircraft flying overhead so they set their fishing boat on fire to attract the attention of the aircraft. They then manned an inflatable and hoped for the best. The Enterprise was notified and made way in the direction of the refugees. It was sometime after dark when our ship got to the area; at that time search lights were trained to the port side and we manned the rails. Off in the distance one could hear the sound of a small motor and finally see the overcrowded dingy approaching. They were a bunch of happy folks!
My cousin was 19 years old when he was killed in Vietnam. When the refugees got here to the US in the '70's, I never hated any one of them. We all knew they needed a chance too. These stories honor my cousin. We are happy for these families. Vietnam suffered so much. And us too. I hate war. My aunt cried till she died , when she remembered my cousin.
Richard, you are a good man, God bless you. The world would be a better place with more people like you.
Richard Folkman ...Sorry, sir, for the loss of your cousin. All of Viet oversea appreciate the unsung hero who died in VN war for our freedom. God bless him and your aunt.
Bless those who have lost loved ones..
Its the people that give the order to go to war to be blame
Dear Rich, I'm so sorry for your lost and your aunt who never stop mourning her son until she pass. I'm happy a you're a reasonable and logical human that you would wrongfully displace anger and resentment toward the Vietnamese, they are the casualties of war just as your cousin. They are the victim of the circumstance that created by their governments...
What an amazing family .Proud Americans who take nothing for granted.
I am a Vietnam Veteran who served two tours in country back then. I suffer from Agent Orange and PTSD, but if I had to do it over again, I would go back in a second, I loved it there and the people. I have about 256 kids in Vietnam today. Let me explain, I kind of got into it by accident, but I love it. I am teaching English to the kids in Vietnam, online and through Skype video. I have many teachers there also that I help also. I do this because I love the kids and people, I do not get paid at all for this, I do it because I want to help them as much as I can, many of the kids refer to me as "Daddy", "Grandpa" Or "Brother". That makes me proud. My Granddaughter I helped through four years of college to get a Bachelors Degree and she now speaks 5 languages and has a great job. I am very Proud of this girl. She is my Baby!!!!
Thank you Paul. Very much appreciated.
Paul Brown. Thank you, sir, for being a great American. From the bottom of my heart, I bow to those who help to fight the VN war, our heroes.
Thanks for being a good man.
@@jeaniejbutler4911 Thank you so much for the kind words, but i enjoy doing what i do for the kids, they keep me going and have saved my life in a way. After i had my heart attack the kids contacted me and asked to talk with me, that is how it all started and i helped them with some school work and it went from there. I love the people and the country so much, i wish i could go be, if I do, i may stay there for good this time and live there with the kids and take care of my "Granddaughter" up north.
5:29 Wow the way she expressed the hyphen as a bridge. That was so deeply touching :')
My dad was in the Air Force in Vietnam and in his free time he taught English to locals. My mom claimed my dad as hers and told other ladies to not mess with him. Well, they got married and she came to the US and gave birth to my brother first, then me and later on my sister.
Wonderful!
These are people that are truly thankful for America God bless all of those immigrants!!!!!
As a Vietnam vet am so proud that some good came out of the war and these people are proud to have become American citizens.
well said allen
Thank you for your service and your sacrifice.
thank you
I was a Vietnamese boat people in the late 70's when I was a kid. America has welcomed me here and provided me an opportunity to study, to work, and to become a productive citizen. Not a day goes by that I don't appreciate America for its generosity and kindness. Thank you America!
Do you still have the same feeling for America.what with all that's happened in your Life and times while witnessing the Upheaval.?
I live in Houston and we have a very large Vietnamese community here, very nice people.
I served 32 months in Vietnam, there are good people everywhere, welcome to America.
marinegrunt66...Thank you, sir, for your served in VN
I, too was a boat people from VN in 1979-80. We drifted at sea for one week, over 100 people on a small wooden fishing boat without any water or food. My dad died of dehydration before my mother flagged down a US Navy vessel and begged them to rescue us. My mother came to the US in the 1960s as an exchange student but escaped VN with the only a shirt on her back. I wished I could find the Navy men who rescued us to thank them for saving my life.
L S Hello,my Name is Aaron. I was a U.S. Marine in 1979. The ship I was on,the USS Tarawa, resqued about 400 refugees. Do you remember the name of the ship that resqued you?
Yea, do you remember the name of the ship?
In 1981 our boat engine dead we drift at sea for 4 weeks but no one died because I used diesel fuel to distilled sea water, I am really proud of myself,God send me to help my compatriots !
Buick Lesabre thank you Aaron for your service to your country 👍.
So glad you were able to be rescued. What an amazing story. I hope you find the Navy men who helped you.
I wish more people spoke like her and how they love this country
Vietnamese woman paying her debt of honor.Such noble act
We are (my fam) are boat people! We want extend our gratitude to the men and women of the U.S. carrier that rescued us...exactly like the picture of 30-40 people crammed on the fishing boat!
Those men are heroes.
I am a 31-year-old man from HONG KONG, crying my eyes out too
I wish we helped Hong Kong keep their freedom!!!!
I have a tear in my eyes and pain in my heart. We had a girl in our school and we treated her extremely poorly. I wish I could see her now and apologize. The ignorance and innocence of children can and does often hurt those that have endured too much pain. I hope she is living an incredible life.
I had the same situation. We treated a classmate so badly that she left the school. She deserved much better from us.
After listening to this story, it makes me stop and appreciate just all that I have in life. Being born and raised here in the states we take it for granted. This story is a reminder of just how blessed we are.
How honorable these ladies are! Lovely souls! They did not give up on their resolve to express gratefulness.
A true Vietnamese-American. Appreciable!
I am Indonesian and I am living in Batam Island, Riau Archipelago Province, Indonesia. There is an Island we called with Galang Island and we also call this island with Kampung Vietnam. This was the place where a lot of Vietnam refuges was placed. Honestly, every time we go there, its like silent, calm and touching. Settlement, hospital, boat wreck, church, tombs and a lot of names in the wall sometimes just brought us to tears... May God bless their soul...
"I don't see that hyphen as divisive, I see that as a bridge." I'm just floored with this insight.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thank you America and Americans for helping the Vietnamese, the greatest country in the world, we can do so much, be kind to others and help whenever you can
That the year I was born.
Thankyou tk
that's good thing i like about vietnamese, they value gratitude and friendship, there were also thousands of vietnamese who seek refuge in the philippines, while some of them already migrated to other countries for 'greener pastures' some of them chose to remain because of their gratefulness attitude and the friendships they found.
Salute to those heroes who saved them..
What a beautiful touching story! In the early 1980’s, I was the refugee coordinator for the USDA food stamp program. I had the opportunity to meet many Vietnamese people who were coming into our country at that time. So many of them, within months of arriving here in the United States, secured employment, learned our language, and went to school/universities. Within months, they were off of the welfare and food stamp programs and were supporting themselves. And, they were all so thankful to have this opportunity to live and work in the United States. What a remarkable people, they are!
Thank you very much for your services and may God bless you sir 💗
Never forget April 30 1975. Love Viet people.
Jim Rr...thank you, sir . Never forget April 30th ,1975. God bless.
I am one of those Vietnamese... great thank to this country and of course we will do everything we can to build this nation better. I used to herd buffalos as a boy and now i am an aerospace engineer working with both military and civil airplanes....i rose up from 2 empty hands (i had NOTHING when i stepped on the American soil). I was treated better than i was in Vietnam. I am not sure why a lot of people didnt realize about the privileges they have everyday. We are too spoiled some times
Well said. My heritage is also Vietnamese. But I am an American and damn proud of it. Just retired from Law Enforcement and was proud to serve this country.
I'm a grown man and this brought tears to my eyes. Great story.
America is and will always be a great country. Thank you to the heroes like these guys.
@Chris Nguyen Sadly I think we did. If only we didn't have that regrettable treaty with the French.
These men are hero's. I really do wish that more people were like them.
This makes me so proud to be American, i was their during the evacuation of Saigon
Thankyou sir
Lauren Vuong, Touching Story of Survival and Triumph!!! GOD Bless you and your family!!
She is a good immigrant. My ancestors came to America 4 generations ago on my fathers side and were Irish. Then My great grandmother on the same side was Oklahoma Cherokee Indian. So I feel them as my heritage but I am American first and foremost.
Thank You America!....
Thank you Mr Tran.
Jon tran.....it is people like you, that appreciate this country, that have made America great!! Thank you for joining this great American family!
I’m glad we were able to save these people. I’m glad to hear they are doing good. US Navy retired
As the woman stated: being from two different worlds doesn't mean divide, but rather a bridge to unity. These two lovely ladies as well as the rest of their family may be born in a different country full of misery, hunger and war, but their decision to walk away from all that and try to find a more happy life elsewhere only proves how good the Asian community is. One of my greatest friends happens to be Dutch/Vietnamese and his parents too escaped from Vietnam back in the day. And while I don't see them as much as I did back then, I still care about them as much as I care about my own family. Vietnamese people and Asian people in general are the most honorable, kindest and lovely people I know...
My entire family escaped in 1979. I was 5. I still remember the boat ride to Thailand. Many families were lost or separated at sea. Luckily my family made it. We will always be grateful to the US. Had to fight back tears watching this.
My parents was a boat refugee escaping the cruelty of communism. I am proud to be an American and grateful to this country and the people who gave us opportunities and dreams. We worked hard. My parents worked several job to support us, from recycling dumpsters can to seamstress to put us through school. We grew up with our parents telling us they never had the money or opportunity to go to school. So we worked hard focus on school and had the opportunities my parents never had. This is what America is. All of us kid went to college and the sacrifice our parents made we hope to make them proud. America is a beautiful country freedom and opportunities are here. God is watching over us and this great country. We need to do well, live as honest good citizen and make this country great again. Thank to all the missionaries who helped us as well. GOD BLESS!!!!!
Those are “Real” men and heroes. God bless them and the people they saved. 🙏❤️
Calling this a great story is an understatement. Wonderful all the way around.🇺🇲🇺🇸🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
This is so touching moment i am a filipino i know what these people from vietnam have been through ,i couldnt hold back my tears!
I went to school in Meridian Idaho with a few families from Vietnam. Very smart and dedicated students. I was kind to those who were new and taught my children the same.
She basic express for all of the refugees that saved by America. My tear of appreciation will never stop. Again thank you so much for saved my family and I and many other families.
This is so touching story. I salute to all refugee who became the bravest person who would like to escape of life from death
What a wonderful family. Every Person I know from Vietnam works very hard, they are genuinely good people and inspire their children to study hard and do well. I say WELCOME!!
they work too hard. My nail lady works 7 days a week 8-10 pm no days off. She never complains. I love her
My white American husband who work 7 days/wk from 9A-12MN, He have never work a 45-50 hours work week in the 27 years that we have been married and 29 years that we knew each other...
My parents came here after the fall of the south in 75. They had me here at 76. They would tell me the stories of what they went through. Let's just say that I count my blessings every day that I'm where I am and I will NEVER take anything for granted here. America gave us a new life that we would never have gotten in Vietnam. For that, I will always be grateful and will defend America till my dying breath.
People who learned to appreciate deserve to be in this country.
The world needs more people like these.
This is what makes Americans great, a generosity that no other country in the world exhibits.
This is what makes America a great country!
As a 1975 refugee, I thank you America and God Bless the wonderful people who had helped us restart our new life in America. 🙏🙏🙏
Tears streaming down my face ❤️
Thank you so much America. I was a boat child in 1980 with my family too. Me and my family was rescued by a large American vessel. We would of died after being on sea for 8 days. I will never forget and always love USA 🇺🇸.
This story should be taught in schools an Appreciation for this incredible country!!! The appreciation these people have is amazing, and I mean on both sides. To help someone is the greatest thing you can accomplish. The persons helped in turn thrived, what a tidal wave of good that came from this action.
i could not hold my emotion to the plight of our brothers and sisters from Vietnam after the Vietnam war that ended in 1975. God bless!!! from the Philippines..
These are great full people that we get in our country. Thank you for being one of us.🇺🇸🇺🇲
God bless them all.
Amazing. They were really good men. It was so sad the war happened. My auntie was 6 when she had to hold on tight to my dad's back while they and my uncle swam to Indonesian shore after their boat sank after leaving Vietnam. Great the lady got to meet those that rescued her.
I am "boat people" , too. I came here in1987. We were rescued by the US oil Company and took us to Manila in June 1986. There were 60 people in a small boat which was floating by itself without of engine. we had no food or drink for 7 days. I also want to find the Captain and his staffs who rescued us but I don't know how to find them. Please help. Thanks.
The men on the tanker saw a golden opportunity and chose wisely. I would love have a chance to do something like that. great story.
I had a friend in high school in fall of 1975, named Phung, who was a boat person. He didn't know english, but we hung out together anyway. These people are immigrants, unlike the illegal aliens we have today sneaking across our borders. I am proud of all who come here legally and wish to be part of our country, These people who leave dire situations appreciate what they have here. I appreciate them.
As a retired Engineer in the US Merchant Marine I was happy to see my fellow engineers in this video. Good job guys. Although none of the ships I was on picked up refugees from Vietnam, I remember seeing photos with friends of mine with the boat people.
Our ship ss cornocopia rescue 3 north Korean. Out of 12 crew men only 3 survived 90's.
Retired engineer myself. What you said, I feel the exact same way. They made me feel proud. FWE brother.
I’m an immigrant from Siberia, Russia. I can’t help but thank America for accepting me. I’m proud to live here. Most American people are nice. This country is beautiful!
I don’t know you ! But the video makes me cry ! Thank you America !! God bless you all !!